The U.S. government has never been known for efficiency, as indicated by the staggering amount of red ink under which Uncle Sam is struggling. And there's no easy way to reconcile changes that will bring the deficit under control. But there's one action that's extremely simple and effective: changing the way the government measures inflation, which affects how fast government payments rise under a variety of programs.

Allen Jenerette, Jarelle Hannah and Chris Jackson, all with championship performances, led the Lugoff-Elgin wrestling team to a sixth place finish in the Beef O'Brady's Championship held at Fort Mill High School last Friday and Saturday.

One of the great political highlights of the 2008 elections did not take place in Washington, DC or Columbia, South Carolina, but in the City of Camden, South Carolina. The election of 26 year old Jeffrey Graham brought a pleasant spin to local politics. Many of us saw Jeffrey Graham as a "fresh, interesting, and inspiring" young man who epitomizes the spirit of a new breed of politicians. We looked forward to his leadership. He did not disappoint us.

Have you taken the time to walk behind the center of town to the "Town Center" (editors note: Town Green)? My husband and I parked on Broad and walked the alley to the new town square and were confronted with a breath-taking view of King Hagler and Joseph Kershaw -- if you listened very quietly, you could almost hear them speaking. From the top of their heads to the beadwork on King Hagler's moccasins, this statue is wonderfully realistic. Just behind the statue is another beautiful Christmas tree with the blue and red and green lights of Christmas. What a ...

It saddens me to read (Editor Martin L. Cahn's) views regarding Sen. Jim DeMint relating to his service in the U.S. Senate. He served faithfully and honorably, completely the opposite of what you alluded to in your editor's piece. It gladdened my heart to have a truly righteous man as a senator from our state. I am a "Southern boy," born and raised in the South, and still rejoice that we elect people of character who you say "hurt this country." The values that many of we Southerners hang on to, which apparently you "progressives" believe are ...

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Investigator Justin Dill is the 2012 winner of the W. Roger Latham Deputy of the Year Award. Local businessman Joe Upchurch announced Dill's selection Saturday during a Christmas luncheon following the annual Kershaw County Christmas Parade in downtown Camden.

Mrs. Betty McCray Alston, 57, of Rembert, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Dec. 8, 2012. Born in Sumter, she was the wife of the late John Alston and the daughter of the late Edward Joe and Alma Lee Carroll McCray. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, at Union Baptist Church, with burial in church cemetery, Rembert. Mrs. Alston will be placed in the church at 12 p.m. for viewing. Brown's Funeral Home, camden, is serving the Alston family.

Mr. Daryl Boykin Wood, 45, of Waterbury, Connecticut, and formerly of Camden, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of Francena Hayes Wood and the late Ralph Earl Wood. A Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11 a.m. (today) Wednesday, at Sutton Branch Baptist Church, with burial in church cemetery with military honors, Lugoff. Mr. Wood will placed in the church at 10 a.m. for viewing. Brown's Fuenral Home, Camden is serving the Wood family.

We, the taxpayers could halfway solve the fiscal cliff if we demanded the Washington, D.C., group to live on minimal wages. Let them be stressed out with paying taxes, taxes and more taxes, buy their own high-priced gas, pay all their medical expenses and benefits, struggle to keep a roof over their head, food on their table, shoes on their feet, anything to keep warm or beat the heat, and wonder where the money will come from to maintain their vehicle or pay their electric bill, for the month.